Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Jiang Xiaochuan was practicing boxing on the back mountain.

He had practiced the basic boxing techniques of Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao for two years. There were no fancy moves, just solid punches and kicks. Sweat dripped from his forehead and fell into the ground.

Little Whitey perched on his shoulder, eyes closed, tail drooping and swaying.

When Song Daren ran over, Jiang Xiaochuan had just finished a set of moves.

"Seventh Brother!" Song Daren shouted, "Master is calling for you!"

Jiang Xiaochuan stopped, catching his breath. "Senior Brother? What's wrong?"

"The people from Xiaozhu Peak are here. They want to spar and specifically asked for you," Song Daren said. "Come with me quickly."

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned. "Xiaozhufeng? He wants to spar with me? Who is it?"

"Lu Xueqi".

Jiang Xiaochuan's mind went blank for a moment.

Lu Xueqi. The original female lead. An ice-cold beauty. The master of the Tianya Sword. She will become his brother in the future... no, that's in the original novel. Right now, she has nothing to do with him.

But why did she specifically ask to see him?

"Hurry up," Song Daren urged.

Jiang Xiaochuan snapped out of his daze, picked up Xiaobai from his shoulder, and put it on the ground. "Wait for me here."

Little White raised its head, glanced at him, then lay down and remained still.

Jiang Xiaochuan followed Song Daren towards Shoujing Hall. Tian Ling'er caught up from the side, her expression not looking good.

"Senior sister?" Jiang Xiaochuan looked at her.

"I'll go with you," Tian Ling'er said, her voice a little stiff.

"oh."

When they reached the outside of Shoujing Hall, Jiang Xiaochuan's heart was pounding. Half of it was exhaustion, and the other half... nervousness? Or anticipation?

Can't tell.

He stopped, took a few breaths, and then looked up.

A figure stood in the open space outside Shoujing Hall.

A pale white Taoist robe, a small figure, standing ramrod straight. Her hair was neatly combed and secured with a simple wooden hairpin. Her face… Jiang Xiaochuan looked over, then paused, stunned.

Very beautiful. Although only eight years old, her features are already incredibly refined. Fair skin, dark eyes, thin lips, pursed. She has little expression, appearing aloof and indifferent.

But it's just so beautiful. So beautiful that... Jiang Xiaochuan felt his breathing become lighter.

Lu Xueqi saw him too.

She watched him run towards her, stop, catch his breath, and then look at her. Eight-year-old Jiang Xiaochuan was a little shorter and chubbier than she remembered. His eyes were bright, and his gaze held surprise, curiosity, and a touch of… silliness?

Her heart skipped a beat. Her fingers clenched secretly inside her sleeve.

It's him.

It's really him.

She had waited so long, and finally she saw him.

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at Lu Xueqi, and Lu Xueqi also looked at Jiang Xiaochuan.

The air seemed to freeze.

The wind rustled through the bamboo grove. A few birds called out in the distance, chirping and chattering.

Jiang Xiaochuan could hear his own heartbeat, thump, thump, a little fast. His throat was dry, and he wanted to swallow, but he was afraid of making too much noise.

Lu Xueqi made the first move.

She took a step forward, her footsteps light, making a soft "crunch" sound as she stepped on the fallen leaves.

She stopped in front of Jiang Xiaochuan, very close. Jiang Xiaochuan could smell her faint, cool fragrance, like frost on bamboo leaves.

She held out her hand. Her fingers were very white, slender and long, with neatly trimmed nails.

"Lu Xueqi," she said. Her voice was crisp and clear, like jade beads falling onto a plate. "A disciple of Xiaozhu Peak."

Jiang Xiaochuan remained still, not moving.

"Can we get to know each other?" Lu Xueqi asked again, her eyes looking at him, as dark as a deep pool.

Jiang Xiaochuan's mind went blank. He subconsciously raised his hand and took her hand.

Fingertip to fingertip, cool. Palm to palm, soft. He squeezed, wanting to loosen his grip, but Lu Xueqi tightened it.

Her hands weren't big, but they were strong; she gripped his fingers tightly, preventing him from pulling them away.

They held hands for a long time. So long that Jiang Xiaochuan felt his palms sweating. He saw Lu Xueqi's lips curve slightly, a very faint arc, like a dragonfly skimming the water, gone in an instant.

"open!"

Tian Ling'er's voice exploded, sharp and urgent. She rushed over, grabbed their hands, and forcefully pried them apart.

Jiang Xiaochuan's hands were finally freed. He looked down and saw that his palms were red, whether from clenching them or something else.

"What are you doing?" Tian Ling'er glared at Lu Xueqi, her eyes wide and burning with anger.

Lu Xueqi withdrew her hand, letting it hang at her side, her fingers curling slightly. "Say hello."

"Why does it take so long to shake hands when you say hello?"

"Long?" Lu Xueqi tilted her head, her expression indifferent. "I don't think so."

Before Tian Ling'er could say anything more, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her waist. She turned her head and saw Jiang Xiaochuan secretly poking her. Tian Ling'er glared at him, and Jiang Xiaochuan gave her a look, meaning to stop fooling around.

Tian Ling'er ignored him and turned back to glare at Lu Xueqi. After glaring for a while, she suddenly remembered something, turned her head, and asked Jiang Xiaochuan in a low voice, "Is she pretty?"

The sound wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for Lu Xueqi to hear.

Before Jiang Xiaochuan could even process what was happening, his mouth opened: "It looks good."

The words had barely left his mouth when another sharp pain shot through his waist. This time, Tian Ling'er had gripped him tightly, pinching him so hard he almost cried out. He hissed, clutching his waist, finally realizing he'd said the wrong thing.

"Senior Brother Jiang was just telling the truth," Lu Xueqi said, her voice flat, but Jiang Xiaochuan detected a hint of... amusement?

"What's it to you?" Tian Ling'er turned around and faced Lu Xueqi directly.

"It's none of my business," Lu Xueqi said. "I'm just telling the truth. You're definitely not as good-looking as me."

Jiang Xiaochuan: "..."

He glanced at Tian Ling'er, then at Lu Xueqi. Tian Ling'er's face flushed red, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. Lu Xueqi remained composed, but her eyes shone brightly, as if hiding something.

What's going on here? Jiang Xiaochuan wondered. Two eight-year-old girls, comparing who's prettier? And… he secretly glanced at Lu Xueqi. She was indeed pretty. But he couldn't say that, or Tian Ling'er would pinch him again.

The atmosphere was tense when the door to Shoujing Hall opened.

Tian Buyi walked out with his hands behind his back, his expression not very good. Su Ru followed beside him, her expression relatively gentle. Master Shuiyue walked at the back, his moon-white Taoist robe spotless, his face expressionless.

"What's all the noise about?" Tian Buyi glanced around, his gaze landing on Jiang Xiaochuan. "Seventh Brother, come here."

Jiang Xiaochuan quickly ran over. "Master."

Tian Buyi hummed in agreement and looked at Lu Xueqi. "Sister Shuiyue's disciple?"

"Yes." Lu Xueqi bowed. "Disciple Lu Xueqi greets Martial Uncle Tian and Martial Uncle Su."

Su Ru nodded with a smile. "What a pretty girl. I heard you're looking for Xiao Qi to spar with?"

"Yes," Lu Xueqi said. "I've heard that Senior Brother Jiang has a solid foundation, and I would like to ask for his guidance."

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat. Asking for advice? Looking for me? Lu Xueqi wants to spar with me?

Images from the original novel flashed through his mind: Lu Xueqi's every move was sharp, cold, and beautiful, but it would definitely hurt if she hit him.

He silently assessed his own level: Jade Purity Level 1, just stabilized. Lu Xueqi… He secretly glanced at her. This little girl looked frail, but since she was Master Shuiyue's disciple, her talent was definitely not lacking. Perhaps she was already at Jade Purity Level 2 or 3.

"Oh God, am I going to get beaten up badly?" Jiang Xiaochuan wondered. He'd been having a run of bad luck lately, even drinking water was a struggle; if a fight broke out, he might just fall flat on his face.

"Master, let me do it." Tian Ling'er stepped forward and blocked Jiang Xiaochuan's path. "I am also at the second level of Jade Purity, so it's more suitable for me to spar with Junior Sister Lu."

Lu Xueqi glanced at her. "Okay. I'll spar with Senior Brother Jiang first, then I'll spar with Senior Sister Tian."

"you--"

"Ling'er," Su Ru spoke, her tone gentle but firm, "Get out of the way."

Tian Ling'er bit her lip and stepped aside, but her eyes were still fixed on Lu Xueqi.

Lu Xueqi looked at Jiang Xiaochuan. "Senior Brother Jiang, please give me your guidance."

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at Tian Buyi. Tian Buyi nodded, his expression still grim. "Stop when you've made your point; no spiritual power allowed."

"Yes," Jiang Xiaochuan replied, forcing a smile.

The crowd stepped back, clearing a space in the middle. Jiang Xiaochuan and Lu Xueqi stood facing each other, three steps apart.

Jiang Xiaochuan assumed the starting stance, silently reciting the basic boxing techniques of Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao. Lu Xueqi didn't move, just stood there watching him.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a little uneasy under her gaze. He noticed her eyes crinkle slightly, as if she were smiling.

What are you laughing at? Laughing at me for being stupid? Laughing at me for being a coward? His anger flared up again. You look down on me? Fine, I'll show you.

"Jiang Xiaochuan," he introduced himself, "a disciple of Dazhu Peak."

"Lu Xueqi," she repeated, then said, "Let's begin."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Xiaochuan moved. He pushed off with his foot, his fist aimed straight at Lu Xueqi's face.

This is the most basic punch, nothing fancy, just one word: fast.

Lu Xueqi didn't dodge. She waited until the fist was almost in front of her before slightly turning her body. The fist grazed her cheek, lifting a few strands of hair. Jiang Xiaochuan couldn't stop his momentum and rushed forward two steps. He turned around and saw Lu Xueqi still standing in the same spot, without even changing her posture.

"Again," she said.

Jiang Xiaochuan gritted his teeth and charged forward again.

This time it was a combination punch: a left hook followed by a right straight punch, then a sweeping kick. Lu Xueqi took one step back, two steps back, three steps back, avoiding each punch perfectly.

Jiang Xiaochuan's punch swept past the hem of her clothes, but he couldn't touch her.

After several rounds, Jiang Xiaochuan was panting. He stopped and looked at Lu Xueqi. "You...you shouldn't just keep hiding."

Lu Xueqi tilted her head. "Do I really want you to hit me?"

Jiang Xiaochuan: "..."

He took a deep breath and charged forward again. This time he was smarter; his punches were feints, his kicks were the real attack.

He pretended to hit her shoulder, but actually kicked her shin. Lu Xueqi seemed oblivious, still watching his fist. Jiang Xiaochuan was secretly pleased and kicked harder—

Lu Xueqi moved. She didn't dodge, but took a step forward, landing right on the side of his kicking leg.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a numbness in his leg, and all his strength was released.

He lost his balance and lurched forward, about to fall, when Lu Xueqi reached out and pushed him in the chest. The force wasn't great, but it just pushed him back two steps.

Jiang Xiaochuan steadied himself, his face flushed. He was furious.

"I'm not playing anymore," he said, turning to leave.

"Senior Brother Jiang," Lu Xueqi called out to him.

Jiang Xiaochuan turned around.

Lu Xueqi looked at him, her eyes shining. "My last move. If you can hit me, you win."

Jiang Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment. He looked around. Tian Buyi was frowning, Su Ru's expression was subtle, Tian Ling'er was biting her lip, and Master Shuiyue was expressionless. He gritted his teeth and turned back.

"OK."

He struck a pose and stared at Lu Xueqi. Lu Xueqi looked back at him, and the corners of her lips curved into a smile again.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a surge of anger rising within him. He rushed forward, this time with all his might, his fist aimed straight for her chest.

Lu Xueqi did not dodge.

No, she dodged, but she was too slow.

It was a little slow.

Jiang Xiaochuan's fist landed squarely on her shoulder with a dull thud. Lu Xueqi took two steps back, regained her balance, her face expressionless, but her brows furrowed slightly.

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned. He looked at his fist, then at Lu Xueqi's shoulder. "Why...why didn't you dodge?"

"There's no escaping it," Lu Xueqi said, her voice a little hoarse.

Jiang Xiaochuan panicked. He ran over to Lu Xueqi's side. "Are you alright? I... I didn't mean to, I..."

Lu Xueqi looked up at him.

Her face was very close; Jiang Xiaochuan could see her long eyelashes and smell the faint sweetness in her breath.

Her eyes were dark and deep, reflecting his face. Jiang Xiaochuan saw the corners of her lips curve slightly, but she was definitely smiling.

Then he tripped.

Lu Xueqi's toes had somehow reached behind his heel and gently hooked it.

Jiang Xiaochuan lost his balance and fell backward.